The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Pet Food Institute (PFI) $1.65 million under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding is part of a broader USDA initiative to expand US agricultural exports by targeting emerging global markets with increasing consumer demand.
The PFI will allocate $325,000 of the funds to promote US petfood in South Africa, a key market. The initiative aims to highlight the safety, quality, and nutritional benefits of US petfood while navigating regulatory challenges in countries like South Africa and Australia.
PFI’s focus is on overcoming regulatory barriers, which it says is essential for unlocking growth opportunities in complex markets. The new funding builds on a previous RAPP grant of $2.05 million for promoting US petfood in markets including Taiwan, South Korea, and Central America, as well as an additional $1.3 million awarded under the USDA’s Market Access Program for 2024.
PFI advocates for science-based regulations and provides resources on petfood safety and nutrition.
